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"Why, Agatha married one of the troopers, and went away to London."
"And the others?"
"Why, Cook went home to her friends, who live about ten miles from here, and I have never heard of her since."
"But there were three of them," said Oswald. "Oh, yes; there was Phœbe," replied Benjamin, looking rather confused. "She married a trooper—the jilt!—and went off to London, when Agatha did. If I'd have thought that she would have done so, I would not have carried her away from Arnwood behind me, on a pillion, as I did; she might have been burnt with the poor children, for all as I cared."
"Was not the old lady killed?"
"Yes; that is to say, she killed herself, rather than not kill Southwold."
"Where was she buried?"
"In the churchyard, at St. Faith's, by the mayor and corporation; for there was not money enough found upon her person, to pay the expenses of her burial."
"And so you are tapster at the Commonwealth. Is it a good inn?"
"Can't say much for it. I shan't stay longer than I can help, I can tell you."
"Well, but you must have an easy place, if you can stay away so long as you do now."
"Won't I be mobbed, when I go back! but that's always the case, make haste or not, so it's all one. However, I do think I must be a going now, so good bye, Mr. Forester; and tell Jacob Armitage's grandson that I shall be glad to see him, for old Jacob's sake; and it's hard but I'll find him something to drink, when he calls."
"I will: I shall see him to-morrow," replied Oswald, getting
